How good is Qld – Labor edges ahead as state’s voters return
Queensland has recorded a swing of almost 10 per cent to Labor compared with the party’s dismal performance in the state at the last federal election, according to the results of the latest Roy Morgan poll.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (AAP Image/Diego Fedele)
The poll of 1400 voters nationally showed Labor had increased its vote in Queensland and now sat at 51.5 per cent, an increase of 1 per cent since the last poll and ahead of the LNP on 48.5 per cent (down 1.5 per cent).
It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese prepared for the first televised leaders’ debate of the campaign on Wednesday night.
Labor suffered a major swing against it in Queensland at the last election as support in the regions evaporated over its position on coal, but the poll picked up a 9.9 per cent return of its vote in the state.
Nationally, the poll also put the ALP ahead 55 per cent to 45 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, but this represented a 2 per cent fall for Labor.
“If a federal election had been held last weekend the ALP would have won a clear majority,” the polling company said.
The primary vote for Liberal and National parties was up 3 per cent to 35.5 per cent and was now ahead of Labor’s primary vote of 35 per cent. This was the first time in six months that the Coalition had taken the lead.
The support for the Greens also jumped 1.5 per cent to 14 per cent, the highest level of support for the party since the last election.
One Nation’s vote fell slightly to 4.5 per cent while Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party was unchanged at 1.5 per cent. Support for independents also fell 2 per cent to 6.5 per cent.
Morrison and Albanese will go head-to-head in Brisbane where they will take questions from undecided voters in a debate to be televised on the Sky News channel.
Both parties signalled they would day 10 of the election campaign to focus on industrial relations.
The government has announced it would double the penalties courts can impose on construction unions, should it win office.
Penalties for serious offences such as unlawful industrial action, freedom of association or coercion will be increased to $88,000 for an individual and $444,000 for a union.
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said the changes to the building and construction industry act would try to stamp out “bullying and intimidation” by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union.
“We are going to ensure that their behaviour, their unlawful behaviour on construction sites in Australia, they are held to account,” she told the Nine Network.
“The current penalties they merely see as the cost of doing business. That is unacceptable. We need to ensure our construction industry in Australia is as productive as it can be.”
Meanwhile, Labor has upped their attacks on the government on working conditions, arguing the coalition would bring back controversial workplace laws.
Opposition industrial relations spokesman Tony Burke said the government would scrap the better off overall test for workplace agreements.
“Mr Morrison is sharpening his knife to slash your pay and conditions,” Burke said.
Burke said the legislative changes would result in a $14,000 a year pay cut for part-time disability care workers, $10,000 for retail managers doing night shifts and $7000 for a butcher working weekends.
“At the exact time that we need to get wages moving, Mr Morrison’s answer is to provide a green light for pay cuts,” he told the ABC.
“That’s what the legislation did, that’s why they couldn’t get it through the parliament, and now in the election campaign, he’s fessing up that if he gets a chance, it’s all back on the table.”